5 Things You Need To Do Before Moving to New Zealand

So you have heard of the Top 5 Reasons Why Filipinos Migrate to New Zealand. You are intrigued by the idea of settling down to a country with awesome views and kind-hearted people. You clamour for that much-needed work-life balance. You visualize yourself being in the great outdoors, camping on its vast parks and natural wonders, skiing in the middle of the winter, hiking on its different terrains or swimming in its crystalline waters on weekends.

Goat Island, just a few hours drive from Auckland

You are inspired by the opportunities and promise of a better life that this country has to offer. And now you ask, what are the next steps you need to consider before moving to New Zealand? Below are some of the things you need to arm yourselves with before plunging into the deep regions of migration:

Skytower as seen from the Auckland waterfront

1.) Research. Research. And more research. Never underestimate the power of information when moving to a different place. There are tons of things you need to know before diving to a completely different territory and you need to gather as much knowledge of the country as you can possibly muster. The internet is a great source of information but you need to carefully select those trust-worthy sites as scammers are spreading like wildfire in this time and age. New Zealand immigration site immigration.govt.nz will let you chose which visa you wish to apply for and it will provide you with the necessary steps on your application. Since NZ’s residency is based on point system, you can try their online calculator to ensure that your points reach at least 160 as this will make you automatically selected for further assessment. NZ immigration has allotted points for skills, qualifications, age, family ties in NZ, job offer, ability to settle in NZ, etc.

Hunua Falls

2.) Be financially prepared. Whichever visa you wish to have, there are lots of fees you need to pay in order to be successful in your application and the costs are no laughing matter. Lodging your application, IELTS, assessment of your qualifications all require a huge sum of money and so is having a complete medical check-up especially for the skilled migrant category. Know the cost of living in New Zealand and the amount you need to bring with you while searching for work. Take note that it will take you a couple of months or more before finding a suitable job, so you need to take into account everyday expenses such as food, transportation, accommodation, internet connection, phone bills, etc. that you have to pay while you’re still in the midst of job-hunting.

Cable cars @ Rotovegas, Rotorua

3.) Get all your documents ready. Have your passport, diploma, transcript of records, certificate of employment, birth certificates, NBI/police clearances, etc. handy. Before lodging your application for EOI (Expression Of Interest), make sure to have all your necessary documents with you so as not to cram with the given grace period of submitting your documents. Once your EOI expires, you need to lodge your application and pay for the necessary fees again.

Picnic behind cherry blossoms @ Cornwall Park

4.) Create a network of friends and acquaintances in NZ. Maybe you have friends or some distant relatives in NZ? Get in touch with them and connect thru social media. They can give you tips on what to expect on your first few days, weeks, or months in NZ. They might refer you to some accommodations or even job openings. They can be your set of friends when you have settled down in NZ. There are also lots of Filipino Communities in NZ providing support to new migrants. Be sure to interact with them beforehand.

5.) Be patient. Migrating to a new place is a long and tedious process. You need to be patient while waiting for the results and just hope for the best. Stay positive but be ready with whatever the outcome will be. After all, nothing in this world is 100% guaranteed.

Disclaimer: I am not a licensed immigration consultant. All contents of this article and site are based purely on personal accounts